The Banana Splits Horror Movie Coming to SYFY

Be careful what you wish for, because you may just get it.

Almost three years ago, in my review of The Pit, I jokingly mentioned that I would watch a horror movie of The Banana Splits, since a character in that film calls the creatures "tra-la-logs", reminding me of the Tra-La-La theme song from the kids TV show. It's the same song that can be heard at the beginning and middle of the trailer.

I even wrote a parody lyrics of the song, summarizing the plot of The Pit, as part of the review.

Coming to Blu-Ray, DVD, and SYFY

The Banana Splits Movie will be coming out on Blu-Ray/DVD in the summer and then will be premiering on SYFY later on this year.

That ax could give you a splitting headache

The Banana Splits Movie will offer a new take on the classic characters. The film follows a boy named Harley and his family as they go to a taping of The Banana Splits TV show, which is supposed to be a fun-filled birthday for young Harley. But things take an unexpected turn — and the body count quickly rises. Can Harley, his mom and their new pals safely escape?

Tagline: Tra La La Terror

Digital Release: August 13, 2019

Blu-ray/DVD Release: August 27, 2019

Rating: Rated-R for horror gore and violence

Special Features:  - Banana Splits: Behind the Horror 

                               - Terror on Set

Who are The Banana Splits?

 

The Banana Splits is a fictional rock band which had its own children's variety TV show (The Banana Splits Adventure Hour) on Saturday mornings, beginning in 1968. The live-action band was comprised of four actors dressed in costumes as anthropomorphic animal characters. The quartet would sing songs and perform comedy skits.

The original masked singers:

• Fleegle -- a beagle dog (guitar, vocals) suit performer: Jeff Winkless / voice actor: Paul Winchell
• Bingo -- an ape (drums, vocals) suit performer: Terence H. Winkless / voice actor: Daws Butler
• Drooper -- a lion (bass, vocals) suit performer: Dan Winkless / voice actor Allan Melvin
• Snorky -- an elephant (keyboards, effects) suit performers: Jimmy Dove and Robert Towers / mute

Banana Splits 2008 Reboot

The characters and show were relaunched in 2008 on The Cartoon Network. You can see the show's opening further above. This version had a new cast.

• Fleegle: suit Ginner Whitcombe / voice Bill Farmer
• Bingo: suit Casey Hadfield / voice Frank Welker
• Drooper: suit Adam Grubner /  voice Carlos Alazraqui

2019 Movie

All of The Banana Splits characters in the new movie are voiced by Eric Bauza, the current voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew and Woody Woodpecker. 

Judging from the trailer, it looks like the movie was inspired by Five Nights at Freddy's, the horror video game. I got this impression immediately while watching it and I've noticed that others online have mentioned the same thing.

From Schitt's Creek to Splits Shriek

Steve Lund plays Mitch, the patriarch of the family that is terrorized by the band that goes bananas. The last time I saw Lund, he was involved as one third of a throuple, as his character Jake split his time between David Rose (Dan Levy) and Stevie Budd (Emily Hampshire) in amorous rendez-vous, on the CBC/POP/Netflix comedy, Schitt's Creek. It seems he'll have his hands full in this movie, only this time it'll be with a furry foursome. It's safe to assume there will be less creek and more shriek.

 

The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park

This won't be the first time a Banana Splits TV movie is released. In 1972, The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park was broadcast on ABC. Just like the TV show, it was a mix of live action and animation. The live-action segments were filmed at Kings Island amusement park in Cincinnati, Ohio, which are shown in the video, below.

Tra La La Song by Liz Phair

In 1995 or possibly 1996, I bought a music CD called Saturday Morning: Cartoon's Greatest Hits. It was a collection of songs in tribute to cartoons that were shown on TV on Saturday mornings, mainly during the 1960's and 1970's.

The first song on the CD was a very rockin', power pop version of the Tra La La Song which was performed by Liz Phair with Material Issue.

Trailer Verdict

The trailer for The Banana Splits Movie looks like it has potassium potential but it's hard to say for sure if its something that will apeel to a mass audience or if the reviews will be split. How much gore will there be? We'll just have to wait and see.